Welcome back, travel folk. As per request, Travel Weekly won’t be including vicarious news in our wraps anymore – just a s**t load of deals. Psyche!

Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold launch inaugural national awards night

On Friday evening, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold officially launched their inaugural Insight Vacations Inner Circle Awards Night.

Hosted at Telstra’s Customer Insight Centre, the event saw top selling travel agents nationwide flown specially for the night and greeted to cocktails, canapes and acoustic music.

With several interstate and national awards, the night celebrated 18 consultants and agencies from around the country – recognising their talent and hard work. Tom Steinfort, co-host of Nine’s Today show, hosted the official award proceedings.

Globus unveils ‘Undiscovered Mediterranean’ holidays for 2020

In 2020, Globus and Cosmos are unveiling 11 ‘Undiscovered Mediterranean’ tours – including six new tours, ranging from eight to 19 days – that invite travellers to dive deep into the blues of the Mediterranean’s secluded seaside towns and medieval alleyways where cities, seas and cultures connect.

Agents are invited to book early to save up to $1,000 per person on Globus’ European tours. For more information, agents can visit globusandcosmos.com/australia.

Save 10 per cent with worldwide early bird deals from Exodus Travels

Exodus Travels is offering a 10 per cent early bird deal on several worldwide tours, including:

1. The eight-day ‘Walking the Amalfi Coast’ tour
2. The 14-day ‘Galapagos: In Darwin’s footsteps’ tour
3. The 16-day ‘Gorillas and the Masai Mara’ tour; and
4. The ‘Ancient and Modern Japan’ tour, among others.

The offer is available until 18 October 2019 on all small group tours, with the sale covering tours to 31 December.

A&K Philanthropy supports new bead making enterprise in Zambia

After two years of research, development, fundraising, training and construction, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) is delighted to announce the official opening of the Sishemo Bead Studio in Nakatindi. Operated by eight artisans from the community, the enterprise supports some 40 family members and dependents.

The project involves making glass beads using traditional African techniques: recycling glass from discarded bottles generated by nearby luxury camp, Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma, painstakingly firing the glass in a handmade kiln, shaping each bead by hand, creating unique shapes, colours and designs which are then used to make one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other bead products.

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) guests travelling to the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park area are invited to visit the studio during their stay where they will learn how to produce recycled glass beads and try their hand at making a bracelet.

Adventure World Travel launches India, Sri Lanka and Nepal collection

Adventure World Travel has launched its 2020 India, Sri Lanka and Nepal collection, with a focus on wildlife and cultural experiences in the region.

Enhanced in 2020, is the brand’s ‘Wildlife of North India’ itinerary, which now includes a visit to Wildlife SOS’s elephant rescue centre near Agra. As a partner of The TreadRight Foundation, guests can see firsthand the work that Wildlife SOS undertakes to help elephants living in urban environments that have been wounded, malnourished and dehydrated.

The itinerary also includes two of northwest India’s most important national parks, Corbett and Ranthambhore – each providing vastly different habitat and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Also enhanced for 2020, is the ‘10-day Rajasthan’s Cultural Heritage’ itinerary, which sees travellers have an “authentic” experience of the rich history and culture of Rajasthan. This itinerary features unique and fascinating places to stay – from royal homes and estates to cliff-top forts, ensuring guests have a completely “one-of-a-kind” experience.

The Travel Corporation’s weekly deals

Trafalgar

Georgia and Armenia Uncovered

Fly to Europe with return from $699 when booking a 2020 journey with Trafalgar, such as the 11-day ‘Georgia and Armenia Uncovered’ itinerary.

With prices starting from $3,325 per person, this offer is on sale until 31 October 2019 for travel between April to September 2020.

Busabout

Ultimate Balkan Adventure

Book early and save 10 per cent on Busabout’s 15-day ‘Ultimate Balkan Adventure’. Starting from $1,619 per person (discount included), this offer is on sale now until 18 December 2019 for all travel in 2020.

AAT Kings

Outback Adventure – early bird savings

Pay less, experience more with AAT Kings’ early bird specials when booking before 31 January 2020. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 15-day ‘Outback Adventure’ journey, with prices starting from $5,828* per person (10 per cent early bird saving included).This offer is on sale now until 31 January 2020 for departures between 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2020.

Contiki

Portugal City & Surf

Enjoy Contiki’s new release deal with 20 per cent off the nine-day ‘Portugal City & Surf’ trip when booked and paid for by 31 October, 2019.

With prices starting from $1,788* per person (discount included), this offer is on sale until 31 October for 6 June and 29 August 2020 departures.

Insight Vacations

Country Roads of Croatia

Travellers can fly to Europe with return for $799 per person when booking a 2020 Europe and Britain journey. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 14-day ‘Country Roads of Croatia’, with prices from $4,850* per person, twin share land only (Return flights to Europe are an additional $799* per person). This offer is on sale now until 31 October 2019 or until sold out for departure on 18 April 2020. Departure dates are subject to change. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Portugal, Spain & The Douro River Valley

Uniworld is offering private chauffer transfers to and from the airport in Australia and business class flights to Europe from only $3,999 per person return with all 2020 Uniworld luxury river cruises.

Travellers can save an additional 10 per cent with early payment savings when paid in full at the time of booking before 30 September 2019.

Adventure World Travel

Discover Peru

Experience Peru with Adventure World Travel to enjoy a free 5-Star hotel upgrade valued at $720 per couple. Guests can enjoy this upgrade on the eight-day ‘Discover Peru’ journey from $2,790* per person, twin share (5-Star hotel upgrade included). This offer is on sale now until 31 October 2019 for travel between 1 October 2019 to 31 May 2020. Blackout dates apply.

U River Cruises

Vienna Vibe

Travellers are invited to save 10 per cent on bookings or enjoy a free U Drink Package (valued at $499) when tours are paid in full at time of booking by 30 September. These savings can be enjoyed  on the eight-day ‘Vienna Vibe’ itinerary from $3,419* per person, twin share (10 per cent early payment savings included, or enjoy a U Drink Package valued at $499).

This offer is on sale now until 30 September 2019 for departures on 10 & 17 April 2020.

Topdeck launches Europe 2020 brochure with four new trips

Topdeck Travel has officially unveiled its Europe 2020 trips, showcasing four new expeditions across Malta, Sicily, Bodrum and France, among over 150 “unique” and “refreshed” itineraries.

To celebrate the release of the full European brochure, Topdeck is inviting travellers to joing ‘The Class of 2020’ with 10 per cent off select Europe trips booked between now and 30 November, 2019, for travel between April and December 2020.

To uncover all 161 trips and book 2020 departures, visit www.topdeck.travel/deals/europe-2020-apac

ETC announces partnership with Hi Tours

Evolution Travel Collective (ETC) has announced a new partnership with south Asian destination management company, HI Tours.

Pete Rawley, CEO & Founder of Evolution Travel Collective said he was “delighted” to have the opportunity to partner with HI Tours.

“They are an extremely professional and dynamic team of 150 travel professionals with great product knowledge, enthusiasm, innovative ideas and commitment to customer satisfaction,” he said.

“In a time where specialisation is more relevant than ever before, HI Tours is a winning combination of unique products, high-quality services and competitive pricing, that is unmatched in the Indian sub-continent region.”

Global Journeys launches small group adventure portfolio

Global Journeys has officially launched their adventure portfolio to include small group, experiential adventure journeys to satisfy their growing demand for active and immersive overland tours.

Partnering with G Adventures, Intrepid, Exodus, Explore!, TrekAmerica, Grand American Adventures, On the Go Tours and Peregrine means the touring specialists have incorporated more than 2,200 guided small group and self-guided adventures.

TrekAmerica now offers live chat service

TrekAmerica has announced the addition of a live chat feature to their contact options for agents. feature is now live on TrekAmerica’s website and will be available during its regular Australian business hours from Monday to Friday.

AAT Kings celebrates 100 years of the Great Ocean Road

AAT Kings is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road by showcasing three of its tours travelling the road:

1. ‘Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles Full Day Tour’, from $169 per person
2. ‘Melbourne and The Great Ocean Road’, four days, from $790 per person
3. ‘Victoria’s Hidden Gems’, seven days, from $4,390 per person.

Luxury Escapes signs five-year lease in Hickory’s Market Lane

Luxury Escapes has announced the signing of a five-year lease at Hickory Group’s Market Lane.

Hailed as the non-office office, Market Lane is a “biophilic design” by Elenberg Fraser and is filled with natural light, extensive landscaping, a 5-star NABERS rating and a 4-star Green Star rating.